Ezai maariyamman is there is all towns. In our town (Kumbakonam), we
have
"Ezai sOmESwaran" (yes, Eswaran) presides!!
The legend goes something like this, ES was originally very rich and
was occupying a large area in the middle of the city. Then once, lord
vishnu came to the town with his paraphernalia. While he was enjoying
the beatuy of the city, it rained. He sought asylum with ES, who
graciously gave a boarding. Vishnu (sArangapaNi) slept, dreaming about
the beauty of city. ES did not feel like disturbing him. vishnu
slept, slept and sleeps!!!
In the process, his devotees, built a magnificient abode for him. It
is one of the beautiful temples I have ever seen (not because it is in
my town), the sanctum sanctorum itself is in the shape of the chariot.
Rich donated gold to the temple; poets lauded his beauty and
munificence. There goes the host, paled in comparison in the adjoining
premises, the prefix "Ezai" got attached to him. Even today, while
Sarangapani enjoys grand vasanthOsthvam, ES is sulking in his
neighbourhood with not even the full quota of nEvEdiyam for him. Like
all vishnu temples it is rich, grand, beautiful and like most of the
siva temples, ES' is pale and dull. The "namam" of Saranga is grand
with about 50 odd pieces of diamond and his vessels are pure in gold.
The gopuram is (now) the third tallest among hindu temples (first place
has been taken by Srirengam recently), second is SrivilliputthUr (that
is in TN govt. emblem). Again all grand and tall gopurams are vishnu
temples. But, one should see all the three gopurams to appreciate which
one is architecturally great!!
And to enjoy some tamil, read these
திருமழிசை பிராண்
இவை சந்தக் கலிவிருத்தங்கள், (பலவற்றில் நான் தெரிந்தெடுத்த இரண்டு)
